Living in Katherine, I am fortunate to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. From the rich reds, browns and oranges in the rock escarpments of the Gorge, to the lush greens of tropical growth and water reflections. It is imperative that we do everything we can to protect our environment from the effects of climate change which can be seen in the increased number of devastating weather events.
Golden Dusk captures the golden light as it splashes across one of the most delicate and significant landscapes in Australia, reminiscent of the light in many of Hans Heysen’s works, such as Red Gold and Summer, 1909. The Outback has a rugged beauty which I build and layer with a palette knife. As heat dries my paint, turning it sticky and tacky, like bitumen in the hot sun, adding to the raw, textured aesthetic.
As I work I am concerned with mark-making, to capture the feeling of a surface, which may contrast with the surrounding textures. For example, in this work I have used a variety to tools to scrape and work with the paint to build up a textured surface representing the pandanus and trees, which you can see in the detailed image. This built up texture contrasts with the smooth, serene surface of the water and reflections.
I am influenced by Doug Wright, an Australian painter, with his textural approach and strong use of colour. Also, the Australian Impressionist tradition, specifically Roberts, Streeton and McCubbin.